A healthcare employee can protect clients' rights by which action?

• A. Keeping the clients confined to their rooms
• B. Allowing the clients to refuse care
• C. Only discussing a client's condition with close friends
• D. Making sure that each client has the same snacks as the other residents

Answer: (B)

Respecting a client's autonomy by allowing them to refuse care protects their rights. In health care, patients have the right to self-determination and to make informed decisions about treatment. If a client declines a procedure or treatment, that choice must be honored, provided the client understands the information, has decision-making capacity, and their decision is voluntary. The nurse should assess understanding, discuss potential consequences, document the refusal, and involve the treating physician to review options or alternatives while ensuring safety.

Confining someone to a room without their consent infringes on personal freedom. Sharing a client’s condition with close friends violates confidentiality and trust. Providing the same snacks to everyone overlooks individual preferences and rights to choice.